Dodgers’ Lineup Shakeup May Be Here to Stay Amid Slump
The Dodgers made a notable move at the top of the batting order, moving Kyle Tucker down the order and bumping up Freddie Freeman.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made a notable move at the top of the batting order , moving Kyle Tucker down the order and bumping up Freddie Freeman. Since the start of the season, Shohei Ohtani has locked up the lead-off spot , and that will not change, but Tucker has been the regular No. 2 hitter for the Dodgers.
In the third spot, there has been a revolving cast, though Will Smith tends to man the spot when he is in the order. The No. 4 spot has mainly been Freeman, but it will now be Tucker’s, with the first baseman moving up to back-up Ohtani.
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (23) is congratulated by designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) after a two-run home run during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images The move comes after a rough period for the Dodgers’ offense. The team has only generated one run over the first two games against the Giants.
Tucker has been far from the only problem, but manager Dave Roberts is hoping that the former Houston Astros can benefit from a different look, getting the chance to see extra pitches before setting into the box by observing the other part of the lineup. “I think it’s more of just trying to give Kyle a different look,” Roberts said “I think that he’s obviously going through it right now and not feeling great at the plate. So sometimes, the different visual, letting the game come to you a little bit before jumping in there in the two [hole] changes your outlook and potentially the results.